Mexico
Mexican

Woods, metal, nylon
Early 21st century
Length: 31 in; Width: 11.5 in; Depth: 5.5 in
Chordophone – Lute – Plucked

The Mexicana vihuela is a five-stringed small guitar of Mexico, played in the mariachi ensemble as a harmony and rhythm instrument.  It has the same name as the historic Spanish Renaissance vihuela de mano but is distinctively different. 

This Luis Sevillano Mexican vihuela has five strings, a vaulted (convex) back, and is tuned similarly to the guitar.  Unlike the Mariachi guitar (guitarra de golpe) the frets are tied on nylon, not wood or metal.   The addition of the vihuela to a mariachi group is to give a duet of sorts with the Spanish guitar, as the vihuela’s open G, D and A strings are tuned an octave higher than the guitar, giving it a tenor sound or a higher pitch.  The strumming of the vihuela, called mánico, is done with all the fingernail tips.  Sometimes a finger pick (la púa) on the pointer finger and or the second and third fingers is used.  The strings are strummed between the sound hole and the point where the fret board or neck meets the body.  This strumming element supports and references the rhythmic patterns in the music.  The headstock of this Mexicana vihuela has the Luis Sevillano logo and inside is the label with date, number and signature.  A matching set to the Luis Sevillano guitarrón, also found in this collection.